Results 1-20 of 138 for speaker:Aubrey McCarthy

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (17 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I read a disturbing article on thejournal.ie this morning about 13 Oireachtas broadcast workers who will have to sign on the dole next week. I want to know what the situation is in that regard. I reiterate the deep concern expressed by my colleague Senator Crowe regarding the upcoming ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Union. As he noted, the suggestion is that asylum seekers...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (16 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Thousands of small businesses across Ireland are crying out for breathing space. In the last few days, we have seen statements from the Small Firms Association, SFA, and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, both of which represent the backbone of our local economy. Between them, they represent everyone from tech entrepreneurs and professional services to family-owned cafés and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank all the witnesses for being here today. I am involved in small businesses, including a family business, and know what it is like to run one. I also have a restaurant and I am involved in the transport sector. A lot of what the witness said and the survey resonate. I probably took part in it as well. I thank the witnesses for being here today. I see Ms Harrison, whom I know from...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Is that in any particular sector?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: On the back to work schemes and initial wage subsidies, I employed several people from them and they were amazing. They are not available any more. It that worth lobbying about?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I have a restaurant. It is full every day. I am trying to make ends meet on it. People look and say you must be making a fortune.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment: Competitiveness and the Cost of Doing Business in Ireland: Discussion (16 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I am not here to advertise - The Elms in Punchestown.

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I raise attention to an escalating issue of the unchecked spread of ragwort across Ireland. I am from the countryside in County Kildare. Even though it is deceptively attractive, and it blooms with bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators, it is classified as a noxious weed under the 1963 Act and it poses a lethal threat to horses and cattle. Landowners who own the land where it...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank all the witnesses for being here today. I read their statements. Looking at the different interests, the fundamental problem seems to be that demand far exceeds supply. I have talked about this issue in the Houses before regarding whether emergency planning laws and emergency planning powers fast-track the delivery of housing and help to unlock stalled supply. I set up a homeless...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Has there been lobbying on this issue? Has it ever been challenged?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: My final question was to the witnesses from Threshold.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank the witnesses for being here. Their statement and the RTB's report confirmed that even with high compliance with rent controls, average new rents have risen by 5.5%, which shows that regulation alone cannot fix the underlying supply shortage. What is the witnesses' view on that? As regards the RTB, the witnesses have said that the large landlords are consolidating. In other...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: Does this mean that smaller landlords are leaving?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: There is no issue. The rent is being paid by HAP. The landlord fears that he is getting paid and he will get into trouble. Following contact with HAP, he was told there was nothing on him. He then contacted the RTB. Everybody is happy but I am saying that two units of housing have been squandered and that is where-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage: Issues Facing the Residential Rental Sector: Discussion (15 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I am wondering if it is a bigger issue.

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I am rising to speak about an issue that is pressing but that also has a moral dimension, namely the need for a national comprehensive strategy for the effective utilisation of surplus renewable energy in a manner that prioritises individuals and households experiencing energy poverty. We are seeing in various news reports that families are starting to choose between heating their home and...

Seanad: Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters: Energy Policy (10 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I thank the Minister of State for his response. I welcome that it recognises the importance of surplus renewable energy in shaping a fairer energy future for us all. However, I have to express concern that, without a defined strategy or measurable targets, we risk missing a crucial opportunity and wasting over 7,000 GWh of clean energy while hundreds of households going without heat or...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (10 Jul 2025)

Aubrey McCarthy: I echo the concerns of my fellow Senators regarding what is happening between Israel and Gaza at the moment. Yesterday, I had a visit from the Ukrainian ambassador and officials from her embassy. She said that it seems that Ukraine is forgotten about. Overnight, there were drones and attacks in Kyiv again. In recent months, Russia has launched more than 1,000 missiles and drones,...